Scrap metal thieves leaving storm drains open in Quincy, Braintree

Police in Braintree and Quincy are on the lookout for metal thieves who have been prying iron grates out of the street and leaving storm drains open to unsuspecting bicyclists and pedestrians.

Neal Simpson

Police in Braintree and Quincy are on the lookout for metal thieves who have been prying iron grates out of streets and leaving storm drains open to unsuspecting bicyclists and pedestrians.

On Thursday, Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan warned residents to watch out for open storm drains after six covers disappeared from the town’s streets. Since then one additional cover has been reported missing in Braintree, and police in Quincy have confirmed that they are investigating thefts of storm-drain covers on their side of the border as well.

Quincy police Capt. John Dougan said the missing covers have been reported over the last week on streets bordering Braintree in Quincy Point. The most recent theft in Braintree was reported on Liberty Street, according to Peter Morin, chief of operations for Mayor Sullivan.

Braintree Police Chief Russell Jenkins said last week that the storm drain covers weigh about 125 pounds and fetch about $20 at scrap yards. He said officers are looking for suspicious vehicles capable of transporting the covers.

Police in Milton have received two reports of open manholes recently, though Deputy Police Chief John King said neither had been determined to be the result of theft. In one case, a vehicle hit an open manhole on Eliot Street and was so badly damaged that it had to be towed.

Neal Simpson may be reached at nesimpson@ledger.com or follow him on Twitter @NSimpson_Ledger.